What are some interesting facts about Texas?

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Some interesting facts about Texas are that this state's nickname "The Lone Star" is in reference to its being republic from 1836 to 1845, and long fight for independence from Mexico. In Texas' history, different nations had control over Texas territory, including France, Spain and Mexico. In terms of land size, Texas is the second largest state with an area of 268,580 square miles.

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Austin is the capital of Texas, and the city is named after Stephen F. Austin, who is also known as the father of Texas. Austin is also famous for its urban bat colony, where over 1.5 million bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge.

After gaining independence from Mexico, the Lone Star Republic elected Sam Houston as its first president. In 1836, the famous Battle of the Alamo occurred between the Mexican army and 187 Texans. Among the men killed at the Alamo were Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.

Texas has state animals that include the mockingbird, Texas Longhorn and armadillo. The mockingbird is the state bird, and the armadillo is the state small mammal. The state tree is the pecan tree. Another interesting fact about Texas is that there is a famous annual calf fry cook-off in Amarillo.

Houston, Dallas and San Antonio are heavily populated cities in Texas. Houston is the fourth most populated city in the United States, according to 2014 statistics furnished by Infoplease.